I am curious as to why certain varieties of coffee are more costly than others. Do all coffees taste the same regardless of how they are brewed?
Why are those coffee drinkers eager to spend extra money to purchase a beverage? Is it worth it?
In this piece, we will investigate the aspects which are responsible for the high prices of certain coffees. We will endeavor to comprehend the explanations behind why a particular coffee is so expensive.
But Why are some Coffee so Expensive?
- Some coffee is expensive due to several factors. Aside from the taste, some coffees are unique and rare and only a few individuals can experience them. Also, the coffee came from a special process.
- The supply and demand relationship creates a higher price that only a few people can afford. This makes some coffee shops around the world bid for a chance to serve them.
- It’s a matter of taste and quality. You’re not just paying for the coffee alone, but you’re paying for the experience you’re getting in. That qualifies the phrase “you get what you pay for.”
Proceeding, these are the numerous aspects which cause a certain coffee to be costly!
The Type of Coffee Bean is High Quality
Expensive coffee comes from a great cup experience. But that vast experience starts with great coffee beans.
Let’s begin by understanding which type of bean is the priciest. If you are in the market for coffee, you will have noticed that the quality and price of beans vary.
Although there are various kinds of coffee beans that can be found in stores, the two types that are popularly sought after to satisfy the global appetite for coffee are Arabica and Robusta.
Most of the coffee drinks you make at home probably consist of either Arabica or Robusta coffee beans. Although they may be similar, the quality and cost of them are not equal.
The cost of Arabica coffee was higher than other types in 2018, with a rate of $2.93 per kilogram in the United States. It is expected that the cost will go up to $3.37 in the year 2025. In contrast, the price of Robusta coffee was $1.87 in 2018, estimated to be about $1.73 per kilogram in 2025.
Sure, But What Makes Arabica Beans Expensive?
Flavor Profile
The Specialty Coffee Industry regards Arabica as the finest coffee of the world on account of its distinctive taste and fragrance. That is why this form of coffee beans is more preferred and drunk more than other kinds.
The price of coffee is not based on the type of bean, but instead the flavor that is desired most. There’s no one in the world who would give you an expensive cup of coffee that tastes terrible. So, to sum it up, the Arabica coffee bean is highly prized on account of its subtle sweet taste and its exceptional flavour.
Arabica Beans are of High Quality than Robusta
The quality of coffee is determined by the environment in which it is cultivated, the process of its production, and the method used to brew it. But let’s focus on the growing situation.
Apart from being surrounded with adequate shade and the right temperature conditions, Arabica beans can also be cultivated at greater heights, approximately 6,300 feet above sea level, which adds to the flavor quality of the coffee. Growing Arabica beans is far more difficult and delicate than cultivating other types of beans. Consequently, it should be cultivated with great attention and kept in good condition to make the perfect coffee.
Alternatively, Robusta is able to thrive in different altitudes and temperatures, however, this has an effect on the quality and development of the coffee plants. This particular coffee is recognised for its strong flavour and is often linked with a harsh and rubbery texture, because of its large caffeine content.
Robusta coffee plants thrive at lower elevations, which makes them more susceptible to pests and adverse climate conditions. Caffeine in higher quantities can give the beans greater durability and better ability to withstand environmental conditions, as well as reducing their susceptibility to catching any illnesses. This is the reason why the Robusta bean is valued for its less than desirable taste and smell.
To summarize, Arabica beans are pricey but of great quality due to the fact that they are grown in an environment where every care, nutrient and hydration necessary for the coffee to develop and have vibrant crops are present.
High-Quality Grading System
Experts have given their evaluation of the coffee beans prior to them being roasted in order to make them more distinctive. The majority of coffee beans are subjected to grading based on the elevation of which they grew, inspected using the naked eye, and finally tested using the cupping method.
This grading system is created to make it simple to tell apart between less desirable and better coffees. Rather than just describing their coffee or product as better or more expensive than others, it tends to be a better approach to provide an alternative description. Specialty coffees considered to be of a higher quality are expected to cost more while beans that are lower in quality are generally less expensive.
Let’s take a look at these terms that classify a coffee quality:
- Gourmet coffee
- Premium coffee
- Specialty coffee
The bags of coffee beans that bear the mentioned standards are more costly in the grocery store than your typical Arabica or Commercial coffee.
Sure, but what’s the difference?
It is necessary to have a verified system of assessing excellence in order to have assurance when purchasing the top-rated coffee. Selecting coffee beans that meet your taste requires an understanding of how coffee is categorized. The beans are judged according to levels of imperfections, wetness, and the flavors they produce when brewed.
Have you ever heard of specialty-grade and commercial-grade beans?
Beans that are inexpensive and easy to come by can be produced in large quantities at a bargain price. However, they can be the consequence of weak quality control processes. It is frequently ignored, continuing to barter coffee beans with numerous imperfections.
Beans with imperfections are not being allowed to be considered as specialty coffee. If not, it’s always associated with low cup quality.
A specialty or premium cup of coffee is said to be much tastier to drink. Coffee beans that have almost no flaws and receive high ratings, known as specialty coffee, are of a higher quality and typically have fewer broken, cut, quaker, or unripened beans. It has a pleasant taste and feel, with a creamy texture and strong smell. In that situation, gourmet coffees are far more expensive than standard or mass-produced varieties.
Growing Pains
The cost of coffee is high due to the methods used in growing and picking the beans. It may take from three to five years for a coffee plant to develop enough to start producing the beans that are used to make coffee.
Farmers need to be on the lookout for any and all plant illnesses and infestations.
Once the plants are producing multiple fruits that are suitable for use, they should be gathered. The way in which the product is harvested involves multiple phases, and the exact technique employed frequently affects the cost of the end result when purchased from supermarkets.
Furthermore, the majority of coffee plants have an annual harvesting period. Some climates permit harvesting twice a year. This harvesting availability also has an impact on price.
Coffee can be harvested in three diverse manners: selective gathering, strippicking, and mechanized reaping.
Selective Picking
Some coffee producers harvest their crops by hand. They choose only the most ripe and best quality fruit by carefully selecting it.
The seed of the coffee cherry is what will ultimately turn into a delightful coffee bean. Despite this, the making of the coffee takes a lot of time and therefore is more costly.
Strip Harvesting
Other coffee producers use strip harvesting as their harvesting method. This process is highly economical since all the fruits are picked from the trees regardless of how ripe they are. However, it also produces a lower quality coffee.
Mechanical Harvesting
Stripping machines are for flatland use only. In coffee farms with diverse topographic features, a mechanized harvesting process can be employed. Utilizing automated technology makes it possible for farmers to gather only mature coffee crops using machines instead of labor by hand.
After the farmers have picked the coffee, it can be prepared.
Processing and Roasting
Once the harvest is over, the product needs to be treated and roasted. Two major ways of preparing coffee are dry processing and wet processing. Both ways influence the final taste of the coffee.
The way the coffee is processed has an effect on its cost, since wet processing is more costly. Wet processing takes more time and uses more machines than dry processing, and this makes it more expensive.
Once the coffee bean has gone through the necessary processing, it is ready to be roasted. Nevertheless, this task is complicated and necessitates knowledge and skill. Figuring out when to begin, end, and how much time to let the roasted coffee beans rest all have an influence on the ultimate flavor.
Different things can affect the flavor of coffee, and the combinations of these factors are very intricate.
Investment in the know-how of coffee processing and roasting can lead to higher expenses for coffee businesses.
It is absolutely essential for coffee growers to understand this, since the interest for a superb cup of joe has gone up significantly in recent times.
The previous inferior brew is no more, and now you can enjoy delightful cups of coffee that taste delicious.
Location Is Everything
Brazil is the worldwide leader in coffee manufacturing, with Vietnam, Indonesia, and a variety of countries in South America, Central America, and Africa also making major contributions.
The United States does not produce a large amount of coffee, despite the prevalence of local coffee roasting businesses.
Hawaii stands alone as the sole US state which cultivates coffee. Coffee is one of Hawaii’s top products.
Due to the fact that coffee largely has to be imported from other countries and transported to the US, these associated delivery, transportation and regulations fees all add to the expense of purchasing coffee.
What About Cafes?
It has been pointed out that several elements have an effect on the price of coffee beans. Getting a cold-brewed coffee from the nearby cafe has become costlier because of increasing business costs.
Equipment and Business Expenses
It is expensive to establish and keep up a coffee shop.
The coffee industry has a significant up-front cost involved due to requiring multiple machines, and then there is the on-going costs associated with operating the business, such as needing to fix and/or replace machines, as well as bills for utilities and employees.
Labor
Ever since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the United States has been facing a inadequacy of manpower along with a rise of wages over the past few years.
Coffee houses need a wide range of staff, ranging from those making pumpkinspice lattes to those in the supervisory and procurement roles. Everyone working requires compensation, and this sector requires more money for them to remain.
Marketing and Packaging
Businesses invest a hefty sum in marketing, ranging from corporate logos, labels, packaging designs, to packing materials.
The expenses incurred by a business that roasts its own coffee and offers ready-to-order drinks as well as retail bags of coffee beans are notable, but critical to its success.
Drink Offerings
Many café establishments no longer simply provide lattes or traditional brewed coffee. Baristas must have expertise in creating a range of costly coffees. It is a job that requires a lot of effort, and teaching employees how to do it can become quite costly.
Additionally, keeping track of all the necessary tools to make different types of drinks along with ice, syrups, and milk alternatives can really add up to a significant stock of items in the shop. All of this has a price.
Other Factors Affecting Coffee Price
As well as the effort that has to be put in to produce the most delicious coffee, there are additional aspects that may raise the price of your beloved mug.
Supply and Demand
The cost of something can be affected by the availability of it and the amount of people wanting it, just as with any other item. People are seeking out better quality coffee and will spend a lot of money to get the best.
As people become more informed on the subject of coffee and its origin, it is becoming increasingly more essential to arrange reasonable recompense and reasonable trade for the harvesters. Consumers are turning to Fairtrade and ethically sourced coffee, even though it is more expensive.
Environmental Impacts
Coffee plants are delicate creatures. The consequences of environmental circumstances like drought, too much rainfall, and stormy conditions may lead to a disastrous decrease in the yield of coffee and a consequent surge in its overall price.
Infection and bugs should be taken into account too. The coffee berry borer is a very destructive pest for vegetable growers all over the world, resulting in vast sums of money of destruction to coffee harvests on an annual basis.
Unfortunately, this pest is also spreading through climate change. As global temperatures rise, the coffee berry borer is able to inhabit regions that it wouldn’t have been able to before.